Markham joins with Operation Lifesaver to raise awareness about rail-crossing safety

MARKHAM, ON – September 18, 2023 – Every year, dozens of Canadians are killed or seriously injured in collisions at railway crossings. In fact, there were 159 such incidents in Canada in 2022, which killed 14 people and seriously injured another 27. Sadly, virtually all of these tragedies were preventable.

Today, to mark the beginning of Rail Safety Week, the City of Markham, Operation Lifesaver (OL) Canada and Metrolinx unveiled four new rail safety decals at the Markham GO Station, and announced that 22 additional decals have been installed at seven rail crossings throughout the city as part of OL’s Look. Listen. Live. Community Safety Partnership Program.

Through the program, OL works with municipalities to identify locations where rail-safety decals can be installed to remind people to be situationally aware around crossings. Each bright yellow decal features a black silhouette of a train, as well as the words “Look. Listen. Live.”—OL’s important rail-safety message. The goal of the decals is simple: to prevent tragic crossing incidents by making pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers more aware of the need to be vigilant around railway crossings.

“The City of Markham is proud to partner with Operation Lifesaver Canada to highlight the need for increased awareness on the hazards posed by rail crossings and to ensure our residents adhere to railways signs and warnings,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “Through the Community Safety Partnership Program, the newly installed decals are an important tool to promote rail-crossing safety. One life lost is too many and we remain committed as a city to keep our residents safe.”

“Incidents at railway crossings are tragically common across this country, and each one affects the victim’s family and friends, as well as railway employees, first responders and broader communities,” said Sarah Mayes, National Director of Operation Lifesaver Canada. "This program aims to make the public more aware of the hazards around rail crossings, which will hopefully save lives. We want people to slow down, look in both directions, listen for approaching trains, and obey all railway warning signs and signals.”

“Ontario’s rail network is critical to helping get people and goods where they need to go every day,” said Martin Gallagher, Chief Operating Officer, GO Transit and UP Express, and Chief Safety and Security Officer, Metrolinx. “Metrolinx is proud to support Operation Lifesaver in implementing this important initiative, which will help increase safety awareness and public education. By working together, we can make our communities safer for everyone.”

Vancouver, B.C., and London, Ont., became the first Canadian cities to sign onto OL’s Community Safety Partnership Program in 2018, and as of 2023 there were 100 municipalities participating in the program.

“Rail safety is a shared responsibility, and we’re pleased that so many communities have recognized this and chosen to join forces with us through the Community Safety Partnership Program,” said Mayes. “We hope to build on the program’s momentum, and work with even more municipalities in the future to spread the rail-safety message and save lives.”

City of Markham Deputy Mayor Michael Chan, Ward 4 Councillor Karen Rea, Ward 6 Councillor Amanda Yeung Collucci, Roads & Survey Senior Manager Steven Dollmaier, and Road Operations Supervisor Jon Angrove are joined by representatives from Operation Lifesaver Canada, Hub Surface Systems, CPKC Police and Metrolinx at an announcement made on Sept. 18, 2023, at Markham GO Station.

 

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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti’s Office: 
At mayorscarpitti@markham.ca.

All other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham:
media@markham.ca

Operation Lifesaver Canada:
Catherine Henry, Manager, Communications and Outreach, Operation Lifesaver Canada
chenry@railcan.ca or 613-564-8100

About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with more than 353,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 headquartered companies and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 234 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy. 
 

About Operation Lifesaver Canada: Operation Lifesaver Canada is a national public rail-safety program sponsored by Transport Canada, the Railway Association of Canada and its members, including CN, CPKC, VIA Rail, Metrolinx, exo, West Coast Express and Genesee & Wyoming, among others. Through its national network of Rail Safety Ambassadors, partnerships with safety councils, police, the trucking industry and community groups, and innovative tools such as its virtual-reality Look. Listen. Live. campaign, Operation Lifesaver Canada works to save lives by educating Canadians about the hazards of rail crossings and trespassing on railway property. Canadians can keep up-to-date on the latest rail safety news by visiting operationlifesaver.ca.

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